“There are few things more satisfying
than a well-told tale”
….and that is a responsibility that GiGi Gunn takes seriously. She enjoys weaving a richly textured tapestry of believable, complex but flawed characters in familiar and unusual situations. Crafting characters and events which evoke a myriad of emotions; happy, sadness, shock, confusion, disappointment, regret, empathy and most of all, love—of self, family and friends, community and world, is an undertaking she relishes. Whether writing under a pseudonym, the veteran novelist’s fiction has enjoyed critical acclaim and been required reading at the high school and college levels, or penning anew, the caliber of the novel remains consistently engaging. From the first page to the very last with plots twists and surprises sprinkled in for spice, the author, seeks to captivate, challenge, inspire, provoke thought and expand the world views of the people who populate her narratives. She savors women who defy the odds and are not defined by others but pursue their own paths even when they are unsure of the outcome. If the author can entertain, educate and touch the humanity in us all, demonstrating that, despite race and class, we are more similar than we are different -- all the better.
To read the rest of this wonderful bio visit Gigi Gunn's site here.
Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.
I am native Washingtonian, born and bred, a daughter, sister, wife, mother, product of the DC Public School system and graduate of Howard University. I established a career in social work and directed educational programs, focusing on the adolescent and young adult. I love lunching with friends, gardening, traveling, music and movies . . . good movies and look forward to mentoring high school students this fall.
What is your earliest writing memory?
Besides “scribble-scratching” my autograph at a young age? ;-)
The Pink Castle” was an answer to a Freshman English writing assignment at Howard U, where I described my “dream home” on Colorado Avenue across the street from the famed Carter Baron where we spent our leisure time seeing artists, like Johnny Mathis or later the Temptations, and learning how to drive. Professor Hermance read from my paper noting my writing skills; word usage, visualization, sentence structure, imagery, metaphors and similes’. Prior to those “embarrassing” compliments, I had never thought about writing as either an art form or a career option. Just goes to show you how well-placed praise can open up another entire world of possibility for a young person.
What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?
Ecstasy! Sheer, unadulterated bliss followed by anxiousness at wanting to see it in print—immediately, and having readers enjoy it. It’s like birthin’ a baby! I celebrate with a pint of Amazon Valley Reserve Ice Cream and bask in the glow of accomplishment and relief. Until the next all-consuming project . . . until characters from the other manuscript(s) jockey for your attention.
In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?
CAJUN MOON was inspired by the Randy Crawford song of the same name. “You took my baby, now you’re gone. Cajun moon.” I love that song. Inquisitiveness caused me to wonder, “How does a moon take your lover? What did the Cajun moon shine on?” Nosiness is what whet my appetite and spun my literary wheels. So there had to be a heroine, Sassy Crillon, who came upon what the Cajun moon was shining on. . . Roux Robespierre, her fiancé--and what was he doing? I was hooked.
Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.
RAINBOW’S END will be released this December ’08 and it is totally different from CAJUN MOON. For me to engage the reader, I have to be engaged first.
In this materialistic world, Pop Diva Dylan Pryce is richer than “monies mammy” and can buy anything her heart desires. She has it all but an “authentic” man to share it with her. A man who can love her. . . plain old Dylan Renee Pryce from Hampton, Virginia.
On a self-imposed hiatus she meets Caleb Walker, who owns the Walker Horse and Cattle Ranch in Socrates, Texas. With female companionship on an “as needed” basis, he is content with his life until Dylan comes to town and turns his life upside down. But Brenda Faye Savoy intends to be Caleb’s wife and the more she tries to drive a wedge between Caleb and Dylan, the closer they become. Unknowingly, Rueben Jenkins, Dylan’s manager, is complicit in Brenda Faye’s scheme to win Caleb’s heart.
Although the singer and the cowboy come from two different worlds, can’t they be after the same Rainbow’s End? Will they get the chance to play it out and see if their life together is meant to be or will their love fall victim to mettlesome manipulators?
I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say I’ve never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?
CAJUN MOON is about choice and second chances. The novel opens with a quote, “At any given moment, your life is the sum total of all your choices.”
Sassy Crillon catches her longtime fiancé, Roux, in a compromising situation. She chooses to react by taking the “high road,” cuts him loose and embarks on her road of self-discovery and possibility. The last thing she wants or needs is another man, but into her life comes a wonderful man named Aidan, who seduces her with his caring ways and tenderness, freeing her to chance loving again. But Aidan has a secret, and a redemptive Roux wants Sassy back. Which man is best for her? Choice. Who she chooses says a lot about her . . . “tell me who you love and I’ll tell you who you are. . .”
I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?
Wow! Excellent question. I would consider the source and if there is viable, meaningful and/or helpful criticism, consider it and move on. I savor all the five star, positive reviews I receive and apply the same reaction--read them, smile, and move on, satisfied that I’ve pleased readers. But there is nothing, good or bad, you can do about an already published book except learn from comment and move on. I feel if you read and believe the good critics, then you are obliged to do the same for the “less than average,” so I’d try to keep them both in perspective. I try to stay on point, true to my storytelling and intended audience, and find solace in the fact that everyone is different and entitled to their opinion regarding any written piece.
What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?
I liked the writing styles of early Maya Angelou, and Gloria Naylor, the way she took the classics and reworked them to be relevant to our experiences: Bailey’s Café, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Linden Hills, Dante’s Inferno etc. I liked James Michener, the way he took his time unfolding a story and his use of words. Often I can read and re-read an author’s passage if it’s beautifully written . . . so it can take me awhile to finish a really well-written book!
Dreams, goals and aspirations? Like Michener or Mosley, I’d love to see my novels grace the silver screen. “Based on a novel by GiGi Gunn!” ;-)
Or direct like Kasi Lemmons did “Eve’s Bayou,” one of my favorites.
What books would you recommend on writing?
While many authors probably suggest reference or instructional books, I recommend any books that will expand your world view. Books that are outside of your orbit of familiarity. Books that stretch and expose you to things beyond your comfort zone, that challenge your point of reference. I came up in an era when we diagramed sentences and underlined words we didn’t know and looked them up in the dictionary later. That’s how we improved our vocabulary even if we were mispronouncing them. You can master the musical scale but that doesn’t make you a good musician anymore than knowing all the colors of the spectrum will make you a great artist. There’s the feeling and aptitude-for, improvising and creation that can’t be found in a book. You learn by doing and the more you do it, the more comfortable you become and the better you get.
If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?
Start earlier. I was too busy living life with no designs on writing beyond letters and a monthly magazine column. Writing a novel was a daunting “back burner” activity.
But then, once I decided that I wanted to write a novel, I would have made more of a commitment to it earlier. My career positions had a large degree of responsibility, supervising others, mind-numbing meetings and no time to write while working or after work, which usually included work-related nocturnal duties, as well as wifely and motherhood obligations. I would have taken my craft more seriously and set aside time to consistently and diligently work on it and not taken a number of years’ hiatus in the middle. I so admire my writing colleagues whose novels are in the double digit count. What a stunning accomplishment!
Like anything worthwhile, if you intend to pursue it—commit to it—respect it. Do it!
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
To write. To commit to writing. To commit to learning the craft then expanding your outlook. If you don’t sit down and write, then there is nothing to submit, or re-write or publish. You have to do the work. There will be missed phone calls, dinners out, dates and parties, but that’s part and parcel of the commitment. You choose what’s important to you. You choose where you want to spend your time and energy.
Where can readers learn more about you and your books?
I invite readers to visit me at www.gigigunn.net and my novels are available at amazon.com, Borders or any of your favorite bookstores.
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